Rev. March 15, 2004 Connecticut Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
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- Introduction
- Proposed Management Actions
- The Development of the CT ANS Plan (Process and Participants)
- The CT ANS Subcommittees
- Scientific Review Process
- Agency Review Process
- Public Review Process
Rev. March 15, 2004 Connecticut Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Rev. March 15, 2004 1 Connecticut Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan 1 Acknowledgments 2 Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 4 2. Problem Definition and Ranking 6 3. Existing Authorities and Programs 16 4. Goals 20 5. Objectives, Strategies, Activities and Costs 21 6. Implementation Table 33 7. Program Monitoring and Evaluation 34 Glossary 35 Literature Cited 36 Appendices 38 Appendix A. Table of Existing Agreements, Laws and Regulations 40 Appendix B. Table of Authorities and Programs 41 Appendix C. Participants 44 Appendic D. Agency Comments and Review 44 Appendix E. Public Comments and Review 44 44
Appendix F. Comprehensive Aquatic Nuisance Species List 45 Appendix G. Prior Activities and Analyses 51 Appendix H. Acronym List 52 Appendix I. Education and Outreach Groups 53 Appendix J. Research Organizations 54 Appendix K. Potential Monitoring Groups 55 Acknowledgments [[ To Thank:
]] Executive Summary [[PAB NOTE: WILL BE WRITTEN WHEN DOCUMENT IS FULLY DEVELOPED]]
[[ PAB NOTE: TODO: More will be added later. This will eventually be a summary of Section 2.1 below.]] The introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (ANS) in the marine and freshwater environments of Connecticut pose a serious threat to the ecology of native systems, and can effect the health and economic interests of the people of the state of Connecticut. These species, most of which are nonindigenous, have the potential to establish and spread rapidly, due to a lack of physical and biological constraints in the habitats to which they have been introduced. The range of impacts these organisms can have on aquatic systems is extensive, including the loss of habitat and community diversity, the localized or complete extinction of rare and endangered species, the spread of human pathogens, and the choking of waterways, water intakes, and wetland systems.
[[TODO: Write this section when Objectives and Tasks are finalized.]]
While the authority and programs outlined in this plan are generally limited to the political boundaries of Connecticut, it is recognized throughout that there is a need for interstate and international cooperation to prevent the introduction and spread of ANS. In particular, this plan describes efforts to coordinate with Northeastern US states through the recently formed Northeast Regional Panel of the Federal ANS Task Force.
Connecticut established the Aquatic Nuisance Species Working Group (the ANS Working Group) in February of 2004 to coordinate and enhance efforts for the prevention and management of ANS through the development of this management plan. The Working Group is made up of [[TODO: HOW MANY]] representatives from [[TODO: HOW MANY]] state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and a consulting group (Appendix C) and has worked to coordinate existing management efforts, identify priority invasive species to target for prevention and control, and develop specific management objectives and actions. Many Working Group members serve on additional committees involved in invasive species management initiatives in Connecticut and the region, including [[TODO: ADD MEMBER AFFILIATIONS]], and the Northeast Regional Panel of the ANS Task Force (each described below). Integration of these committees into the ANS Working Group has ensured that management measures outlined in this plan represent a fully coordinated approach. Comments received from state agencies, subject matter experts and the general public during the development of this document have been an important component of the planning process, and wherever possible comments received have been incorporated into this plan.
The CT ANS Working Group was divided into three subcommittees to facilitate the development of the plan. The Marine Subcommittee focused on fish, invertebrates, algae and pathogens found in coastal aquatic communities, the Freshwater Subcommittee on freshwater fish, invertebrates, algae and pathogens found in inland lakes, rivers and streams and the Plants Subcommittee on vascular plants [[TODO: is this the correct delineation?]]. Each subcommittee met at least monthly between February and June of 2004 to discuss and develop the content of this plan.
Faculty members of several CT colleges and universities served as members of the ANS Working group. In addition, drafts of this plan were submitted to other academic subject matter experts for review [[TODO: provide a list]].
In June of 2004, a draft of this plan was submitted to several state agencies for review (Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Department of Transportation, Office of Policy and Management). In July of 2004, the ANS Working Group met to discuss agency comments and make any necessary modifications to the CT ANS plan. A list of major points raised by the agencies, and responses of the ANS Working Group is provided in Appendix D.
In August of 2004, the ANS Working Group released the revised plan for a four-week period of public review. A draft of the plan was posted on several web sites [[TODO: provide list. ALSO: how else will we get the word out? What will be the mechanism for receiving pubic comments?]] At the end of this period, in September 2004, a public meeting was held, where the plan was discussed and members of the public were given an opportunity to speak about the plan. A list of major points that were raised during the four-week public review, and at the public meeting, and responses ANS Working Group are shown in Appendix E. |